Ch. 109 - A Resolution, Perhaps?

"... Aoi-sensei?” Shenley noticed my dejected expression and asked what was wrong after we left the audience chamber. “… I just told a blatant lie in a formal setting. I’m a disgrace to the teaching profession… I should be setting a good example for my students, but what have I done…” I muttered, consumed by self-reproach and guilt. Shenley blinked and then burst into laughter. “Don’t laugh… You’ll make me even more depressed,” I protested. Shenley took my hands in hers. “Aoi-sensei, you’re the best teacher ever, so don’t worry about it!” Her smile, bright as a blossoming flower, eased my troubled mind. I was such a simple creature. With this thought in mind, I stroked her head in gratitude. “Thank you. I feel a bit better. You, Shenley, are the best student.” As I spoke, I felt a warm and cozy atmosphere spread between us. “Ahem. By the way, what are you planning to do now?” Alabarta interrupted us with a cough. I turned around and saw Gem, Aldo, and Kathy standing awkwardly in the hallway in front of the audience chamber. “Well, first, let’s discuss Shenley’s forced marriage proposal again. Will Alabarta’s house be fine this time?” “My, my house? Could you please spare me that? I have a feeling my house will burn down!” Alabarta shook his head, trembling. I thought about going to the magic academy or the research lab instead. Suddenly, Gem shook his head from side to side and looked up. “There’s no need for discussion.” “Hmm?” My voice took a firm tone when I heard what he said. If he wouldn’t even listen to me, persuasion would be impossible. At this point, I’d have to run away with Shenley, like an elopement. Various thoughts swirled through my head in an instant. However, Gem, looking as if he had been possessed and then freed, exhaled deeply and shook his head from side to side again. “I was wrong. I clung to my pride and self-esteem and foolishly tried to protect my own argument… Aoi-dono, you have reached the Abyss of Magic. Crown, Award, and Balblair have all realized it and are desperate to absorb knowledge… I was the only fool who couldn’t see anything.” He confessed his regrets and bowed deeply. The hallway of the audience chamber was spacious and had good visibility. Being where we were, Alabarta became flustered. “Lord Gem, there’s no need to bow your head here!” Alabarta hastily tried to stop him. But then Aldo bowed towards me. “Aoi-dono, I’d also like to apologize. I never imagined that you were such a powerful magician… I have been looking at Shenley’s grades with a critical eye. Please forgive me.” At Aldo’s words, I protested a bit. “More than that, I think you should reflect on the fact that you decided on a marriage partner for Shenley without even asking her opinion…” Aldo looked troubled and honestly apologized, “I see… I’ve been so ingrained with the noble way of thinking that I’ve been blindly believing that marriage with a high-ranking partner is a good thing. From now on, I will consider only partners Shenley desires. I’m sorry.” It seemed that his intention with the marriage proposal was not malicious. As the head of the family, he was probably thinking about the future of his family and daughter. “I understand. If you’re convinced, then I have nothing more to say. And Kathy…” I turned to look at Kathy. Her eyes were filled with years, and her shoulders were shaking. “… I can’t even complain. After His Majesty said such a thing, someone like me… What is this?! It’s unfair! I’ve been studying healing magic more diligently than anyone else… But she ran away. Why is she the only one having fun…?!” Kathy's tears spilled from her eyes as she vented her overflowing emotions, her tone becoming rough. Seeing her sister unable to control her feelings, Shenley hesitantly reached out and gently stroked her back. “Kathy… um, I’m sorry. I just can’t use healing magic… But if you’d like, how about coming to Fiddiq Academy? Then you and I can learn from Aoi-sensei…” It was an awkward attempt at comfort and a proposal. However, Kathy didn’t say anything and just looked at Shenley and then at me. “I can only use healing magic properly… I have no other skills…” she said in a dull voice. I gave her a thumbs up. “Don’t worry. I will raise all of your magic to the highest level. By the way, Shenley can also learn healing magic. It’s a bit difficult to restore internal organs, but anyone can definitely learn it for external wounds.” I looked at the two of them, and they froze, eyes wide. Their expressions were alike, proving that they were sisters. Then the two of them started laughing together.

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